Mast, Howard

One zinc miner was killed and another injured early this afternoon by falling rock at a mining lease two miles south of Picher Oklahoma. Howard Mast, about 25, of near Galena Kansas, was killed, and Pete Squirrel, also about 25 years of age, Miami Route 1, was hurt. It was believed the latter's left leg was broken. Reports from Picher said the mishap occurred on the Craig lease at Douthat Oklahoma. The men were reported to have been working at the 225 foot level. The slab of rock was described as being about five feet long and two feet in width and was said to have fallen about eight feet. Both the fatally injured miner and Squirrel were employed as hard rock lead and zinc shovelers. It was reported F. W. "Mike" Evans, who had leased the property from the Eagle Picher Mining and Smelting Company, had sub-leased the tract, known as the Craig lease, to Otis Wood.

Squirrel was removed to a Picher hospital in a Todd ambulance from Picher. Mast was believed killed instantly. Rescue workers extricated him from beneath the rock a few minutes after the fall. His body was mangled. Later examination revealed Squirrel, taken to American hospital, had received a fracture to the right ankle and a dislocated left hip. His condition was not believed to be critical.